McKay and Gothberg Share USHL Goaltender of the Year

Press Release

The United States Hockey League today announced that Ryan McKay of the Green Bay Gamblers and Zane Gothberg of the Fargo Force are co-recipients of the 2011-12 USHL Goaltender of the Year as determined by a vote of USHL coaches and general managers.

McKay posted a 27-5-3 record with a 2.18 goals-against-average and .920 save percentage in leading the Green Bay Gamblers to Anderson Cup title as the USHL team with the best regular season record. His 2.18 GAA was the best mark in the League and his .920 SV% was second only to Gothberg. The 19-year-old goaltender was unbeaten in regulation on the road this season, posting a remarkable 15-0-1 record to help the Gamblers earn a League record 25 road victories.

In 13 of his 35 appearances this season, McKay allowed one goal or less, including two shutouts. His 27 victories this season were a USHL career high. He equaled the team record with his 53rd career victory on February 7th during 3-0 shutout against Waterloo in which he stopped all 25 shots he faced.

Over his three seasons in the League, he has compiled 66 wins with a 2.11 GAA and .921 SV%, all three of which are Green Bay Gamblers all-time career records. The Palatine, Illinois native has also record eight shutouts during his time in the USHL. McKay will continue his hockey career next season at the Miami University.

Gothberg posted a 26-16-4 record with USHL best .921 SV%. His 2.22 GAA was second only to McKay and established a new Fargo Force record, breaking his own that he set last season. Gothberg also led the League with seven shutouts which shattered the Fargo Force season record held by Mike Lee (2008-09).

The 19-year-old from Thief River Falls, Minnesota put together a nine-game winning streak from December 30th to January 21st, compiling a 1.43 GAA and .947 SV% with two shutouts over that stretch. In March, he won four straight starts that included three by shutout. Gothberg recorded a 0.50 GAA and .982 SV% over those four games.

During his two USHL seasons, Gothberg has won a combined 40 games which are the most by a Fargo Force goaltender. He was selected by the Boston Bruins in the sixth round (165th overall) of the 2010 NHL Draft. He will begin his college hockey career next season at the University of North Dakota.

“It is typical of Ryan McKay and Zane Gothberg, two of the best goalies and prospects anywhere in hockey, that they have deadlocked even in the Goaltender of the Year award,” said USHL President and Commissioner Skip Prince. “As the top goaltenders in the Eastern and Western Conferences, respectively, both of them were nothing short of spectacular in leading Fargo and Green Bay to postseason play. Congratulations to Ryan and his Green Bay coaches and teammates, and to Zane and his teammates and the coaching staff of the Force, for gracing the USHL with their extraordinary play.”

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)